Insulation



J. H. RICHARDS.

SWITCH MECHANISIVI.

APPLicATloN FILED 1350.2, 1916.

Patensd Dea. 23, i919.

2 SHEETSA-SHEET f 1b 14 INSULATION l I. H. RICHARDS. SWITCH MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. Z, 1916.

Patented Deo. 23, 1919 T HVL/ENT: Mafia@ JQ ment of the purposes desired.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

JULIUS H. RICHARDS, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T0 SPLITDORF ELECTRICAL COMPANY, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

swrr'cH MEcrmNIL-usfx.v

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 23, 191,9.

Application filed December 2, 1916. Serial No. 134,750.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, J ULiUs H. RICHARDS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

Generally speaking this invention relates to means for controlling the source of power for dynamo electric machines, which machines may be adapted for a variety of functions, and with which said switching device is designed to cooperate to the attain- In particular the present invention contemplates a switch device involving such features of construction and operation as to render it especially applicable to the control'of dynamo motors of the class known as starting moto's, whose duty it is to furnish the nee ssary power for the starting of prime In vers, as for instance the internal combustion engine of automobiles and similar autovehicle:

In my patents for .engine starters if: 1,254,851 and 1,227,003, patented January 29, 1918, and May 22, 1917, respectively there are shown two types of switches used in conjunction withl starting motors and.

whose operation are well described therein, It is then one of the objects of my present invention to provide a switching mechanism of the class-shown in said applications but involving-several improvements in construction and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter described; and it further aims,

Iwhen used in connection with starting motors, to fulfil the wide range of requirementswhich a -device of this character is called upon to meet owing to the various types of starting systems now used for automobile engines.

' Another object is to design the several members such that theymay be conveniently and compactly arranged in a switch housing whereby the whole mechanism may be attached as a single structure xin some suitable location relative to the motor with which .it is adapted to coperate.

These and other objects will be readily understood by those skilled in the art from a consideration of the following description, taken together with,l the accompanying drawings which constitute a part of this specification.

In the drawings, A'Figure 1 is a top plan view with cer-tain parts shown in section, and with the cover removed to illustrate the interior construction of my switch, and also showing certain external devices coperating with the switch proper to perform whatever other function for which it is suitably adapted,

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1, partly in section, and with a portion of the housing structure broken away, and further showing in dotted lines an electric motor, whose circuits are to be controlled by the switch. There is also seen in this view the manner in which the forces applied for the purpose of actuating the switch may be transmitted through the agency of other switch members and be brought into play to move certain parts of the motor itself.

Fig. 3 isa view, similar in nature to Fig. 1 on a somewhat larger scale, and showing a slight modification of the invention, with certain parts removed.

. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic showing of the circuit connections involved when my-swit-ll is applied as a means for controlling electric motors. K

lVith particular reference to the drawings wherein like reference symbols designate like parts throughout, 1 is a unitaryl structure which serves the dual purposeof housing and supporting the switching mechanism. -This housing is mountedinlts working position as a single Structure'and hence it will be obvious that it.may be altered in size and contour to suitably adapt it to the numerous systemsto which this switch is 'capable of application. Inasmuch as my in- 4in place by screws blades arev properly insulated in a welt known manner by bushing and insulators 50-51 from housing 1` and comprise a pluralityV of strips of resilient metal such spring copper. Their resiliency may fur# ther be increased if desirable by making one of said strips of steel, (preferably the outer one) While to increase flexibility said blades are, for a portion of' their lengths,A slotted so that each blade consists ot' several sections as seenin Fig. 2. Switch blade is seen to be somewhat longer than blade 6, the reason for which will later be explained. Parallelly lsupported by and adapted to Yslidably cxtendthrough the switch housing 1 are two rods 7 and 8, hereinafter to be termed as the switch rod and pull rodl respectively. lVithinthe housing there are two collars and 10 mounted securely upon .the rods 7 and 8, and which are adapted to rest adjacent the end wall of said 4housing when these l rods are in their normal` position.` A very inique method has been employed for securying these collars in place upon their respective-rods, which I will now describen lny the end offeach rcollar isla slight ,counterboie vthe walls of which are in the nature ot' a. circular groove and the arc of which groove is substantially a semi-circle. Atpoints in each rod adjacent the-grooves in rthese collarsfthere is provided a corresponding cir cular groove. v-C'oi)perating with they grooves in Ithe sleeve and rod in each case is ai resilient circular ring. Said rings are suitably made of'circular stock and are of such dian'ieter and resiliency as ,to engage both rod and collar to there-by fasten the respective `collars iirinly in place, yet should it be neef essary, the said collars 9 and 10 may readily be removed. The above mentionedrings.are shown respectively at 11 and 12. Mounted upon rods Tf'and 8 adjacentcollars 9 and 1() are shouldered insulating. rings 13. and 11 rcspectivelyf Supportedupon the shoulders of said rings are switch runners 1:3 and `1o. These riinners are of suitable conducting material as of copper, and are of U-shaped construction, the'arms of which are adapted to slidingly cooperate with each other and with switch blades 5 and G to complete the electrical circuit ,between bolts 3 and -l-. Runner l5 is provided with longer working' surtacesthan those ot' runner lo for a purpose to be described hereinafter.4 Adjacent the ,runners 15 and 16 for the purposeot holding the samo in place are insulating Washers 17 and 1S. Said washers are pressed against their respect-ive runners by means of compression springs 1S) and 20. which springs have their other ends conlincd by collars 21 and 22 respectively. A means `lars 21 and 22 upon thc rods T and S.

siinilar to that described in connection with vcollars 9 and 10 is used to secure said colln order to allow said switch runners considerable lireedoni of movement upon thc rods i' and S I have provided a clearance between the insulating rings 13 and liand their re spective rods i'- aiid 8. The advantage otl this feature .resides in the Vtact that as said rods are operated' to and tro said switch runners are permitted to line themselves up properly and to equalize the lateral pressure they receive by their pressing Iengagement with blades 5 and ln thisI way said runners bear upon each other evenly and cooperate with their respective switch blades without the liability o't' any binding or other undesirable results. Disposed about both the switch rod and pull rod are resilient nien'ibers and :f2-i. These members aro designed as compression springs, being adapted to occupy the space between the col-A lars. 21 and Q2 respectivi'ily and the end ot-l the switch housing. It is the iunctioirof these springs to exert their pressure upon the collars 21 and 22 and thereby tendto constantly maintain rods '7 and S in their normalpositions as shown in the figures. Suitable covers 4:5 and. 4G` are attached to the housing 1 as by screws i7 to provide a protecting` inclosure for the wol-'king elcinents ol the switch mechanism. I y

ln Fig. 1%, l;L is a. switchhousing Vfastened directly upon the motor trame by screws 2. lSecured on the inner opposite sides o't housing 1n as by bolts 3" and le are two switch blades fr# and (5.` The assembly ot one of the biadcs, such. as (3 preferably accontplishcd by an oblon; y hole therein through which bolt l passes. This 4provision perf mits adjustment in said blade in orderto varythe time at which the sann` is contacted by its cooperating switch runner, hereinalt'ter referred to. These blades are propcll'ly insulated in a well known manner by bushings and insulators and 51 trom housi ,g l and arepreferably made up ot a pluraliity of strips ot resilient metal such as spri 'g copper. Tiieir resiliency may further be i 'f creased it. d sii-cd by making one of sail strips out ot' steel, preferably the outer ou while to increase the icxibility said blades are, tor a portion o'l their length, slotted so that ,each blade consists of several sections as secuy in Fig. `Parallelly supported by and adapted` to slidably extend through they switch housing 1L are two rods 7 and 8H hereinafter to be termed as the switch-rod and pull rod respectively. lithin tlie housl ing there are two collars 9@ and 10 mounted securely upon the rods 7:L and 82 and which are adailitcd-to rest adjacent the end wall .ot said housing when these rods are in their normal position. Similar u'iethods o'l fastening these collars on their respective rods by rings 11 and l2 are used as described.

1n connection with Fig. 1. Mounted upon the rods 7 and 8'l adjacent to tlievcollars 9 and 10' are shouldered insulating rings 13 and 14 respectively. Supported upon the shoulders of said rings are switch runners 15 and 16. These runners are of Suitable conducting material as of copper, and are the purposeof holding the same in place -are insulating washers 17 and 18.

Said Washers are pressed against their respective runners by means of compression springs 19 and 20, which springs have their other ends confined by collars 21 and 22 respectively. Means similar to that .described in connection with collars 9l and 10 is used to secure said collars 21 and 22 to the rods 7 and- 8. In order to allow said switch runners considerable freedom of movement upon the rods ,7 and 8, `I have provided a clearance t between the insulating rings 13 and 1,4 and their 1respective rods 7" and 8. The advantage of this construction. 1s the same as -that pointed'out in connection with the construction of Fig. 1. Disposed about the '.switch rod and pull rod are resilient mem- Abers 23 and 24 which perform lthe, same function as springs 23 and 24 in connection .with Fig. 1'. The parts 25, 3 and 35 cor- .respond to similar parts 25, 32 and 35 in Fig. 1 andv no further description is necessar gonsidering n ow the remaining portion of myswitch mechanism, and in particular the portion disposed exterior of the housing wherein the switch proper is conta1ned, it

.will be seen that the housing structure 1 also carriesl two rods 25 and 26. Said housing is provided with two circular recesses into which the rods 25 and 26 are adapted to be forced to secure the samel rigidlyV in .j place substantially-parallel to the above nientioned rods 7 and 8. 'Slidlably mounted upon rods 25 and 26 and guided thereby is a meinber 27, which for obvious reasons is suitably termed aforce transmitting member. Said member is securel y attached to switch rod 7 as by nuts 28 and is also provided with a depending portion 29. Carried by guide rods 25 and 26 and fastened thereto by set screws 30 is a brace-31, which guidingly supportsthepull rod 8 in its longitudinal movement. At'the other end of said pull rod is a connecting link 32 adapted to be connected to any suitable system of levers wherebyl said rod receives its operating force. Also carried by rod 8 is a device generally indicated at 33which is adapted to coperate with a pawl 34 on member 27 in such a way that a pull applied to link 32 to move rod v8 longitudinally is transmitted by the force transmitting member 27 to switch rod 7, whereb said switch rod and member 27 are iiiove forward with pull rod 8. I will not attempt to give a detail description of the device 33 as this has been fully described in the abovementioned p atent #1,254,851 issued January 29, 1918. Sufiice it to say that in the operation just described, should for any reason the motion of member 29 be obstructed before runners 15 and 16 had completed the circuit between blades 5 and 6, said device 33 becomes effective to permit pull rod 8 carrying a collar 48 held in working` )osition on rod 8 by snap ring 49 and whic i collar is slidable in barrel-33, to continue in its movenientindependently of switch rod 7 .to carry switch. runner 16 forward and finally complete the circuit between said blades. 'urt'hcrn'ioi'e it will be obvious that the results obtained by thus closing the switch may be made instrumental in removing said obstruction to thereby restore device 33 to its normal condition.' I

Describing the operation of my switch,

let it be assumed that this switch is to be used inconnection with a starting-motor as seen in Figs. 1 and 2.. All parts are in their normal position, the blade 5 beingsuiciently long to permanently contact runner 15 to guidingly hold both runners 15 and 16 in proper working relationship. If a force is now applied vto rod 8 said rod is moved longitudinally, and through 4the coperation of members 27 and 33 rod 7 is likewise moved until switch runners 15 and 1.6 have assumed the position shown in dotted lines, F igs. l and 3,-to close the electric circuit through 'the motor M and battery B. At the saine time the portion 29 of .the force transmitting member is also moved longitudinally, and which Inotion may be adapted to connect the motor to the engine to be started. Just previous to the time runners 15 and 16 have acquired the position shown in dottedlines, pawl 34-engages the head of a bolt 35 which effects an unlocking of the rods 7 and Sand thereby places rod 7 in condition to be returned due .to the starting of the engine. Likewise said unlocking loperationalso i'en- And ders pull rod 8 independent of yrod 7 and I described, ,the arms of runnerl will be sutticieiitly long to maintain'contact with runner 1(' while the latter is moving for `ard to .engage switch blade. to thereby complete 5 the circuit. through the motor.' A feature of the. automatic locking connection between rods 7 and 8 resides in the fact that the time at which such connection is released may be variedv at" will. This is accomplished b v 10 either-'raising or loweringthe adjustable bolt-35. the sanieheing conveniently mounted on the housing structure 1.

i 'hileiuylpiesent invention is in nature similar to.-.the `switching device shown in my 44previouspatents hereinlut'ore mentioned. yet 'lit will be apparent.from theA toregomg that it-,involves seyeijaliiseful Aand desirable iinprovvemei'its both in construction and ethciency of operation. Among these is the f eatui'e of providingr a clearance between i rodsl i" and S andthe, insulatingl rings 12 and H, 'which tsupport switch runners 15 and 1li respictively. ln .this way said runners keep tliei'nselves I )i'opertv alined at all times` An- 25"'other feature istlie nfs'eof springs 1S) and 2() whichlfin'contradistiiiction to the devices .shown in the above said applications. maintaiirizcbnstant pressure upon runners l5 and 1( "i'allpof tions .of rods i' and h. ly the 'SO'iis'eiff these springslA aiu enabled to space lthey collars and .22 from the switch runlnei Iulliciei'itly to avoid any danger of int, f te'i'ferencetherewith. while attthe saine time the proces-sof"assembling is very much sim- 3410 ,a provision the arcing of contacts is greatly reductul, van important item where heavy currents are invol vcd.

lt is to' be understood that the language of thisspeciticatiou is merely descriptive of my invention. I am well aware that. many changesand alterations may be made in the embodiments shown without departing' trom the spirit of said invention and the scope ot' -the appended claims, and l therefore do not.y .50 care to be limited to the exact details shown and described. 1

Havingthus described my invention what I- claim is l 1..f\ switch 'mechanism having in combination, a unitary housing member. switch blades adjustably mounted within the. said housing on opposite sides thereof, a pair ot rods extendingthrough said housing, switch runners acted Son by vsaid rod and adapted to be moved-in 'circuit closing relation with said switch blades, means serving to hold said switch runnersin their iiorina-l openeircuit position, a force transmitting inember secured to one of said rods, locking means between said member and the other of said rods whereby when a pull is applied to the last mentioned rod the force transmitting member together with the rod to which it. is secured are moved to carry said switch runners into circuit closing relation with the switch blades, and means to release said locking means after said circuitthas been closed t-o thereby place the first nientioncd rod in condition to return to its normal position independent of theotlier of said rods.

L. A switch mechanism having in combination. a unitary housing structure, a pair of rods extending through said housing, .switch blades within said housing, switch runners actuated b v saidlrods and adapted to be moved into circuit closing relation with` said switch blades, means serving to hold said switch rnniiers in their normal open eircuit position, a force transmitting member secured to one of said rods, locking means between said member and the other of said rods. whereby when a pull is applied to the last mentioned rod1 the force transmitting member together with the rod to which it is lsecured are moved to carry said switch runnersl into said circuit closing relation with the switch blades', and means associated with the housing structure to release said locking' means after said circuit has been -closedfio thereby place the. trst mentioned rod in condition to be returned to its n0rmal position independently of the other of said vi'o'ds.

3. A switch mechanism having in combination. a unitary housing structure, a switch rod and a pull rod supported thereby and extending therethrough. switch blades within said housing but insulated therefrom, switch runners mounted upon said rods adapted to cooperate with each other'and with said switch blades to give an electrical connection between said blades when Said rods are operated, means carried'by these rods serving to hold the saine in their inoperative position, a force transmitting member secured to move with said switch rod exterior ot' the housing. a compensating device. darried upon said pull rod and means for locking a partof the compensating device to said force transmitting member, whereby when a pull is exerted upon the pull rod said switch rod is moved therewith, said I-ompensating device serving also to permit lhe switch runners to pass into circuit closing relation with said switch blades should said force transmitting member have its movement obstructed.

4. A switch mechanism having in combination, a unitary housing struc-ture, switch blades therewithin, a switch rod and a pull rod supported by said structure and extend ing therethrough, switch runners within,

said housing adapted -to be actuated by said rods. to provide an electrical connection between said blades, a force transmitting member secured to the switch rod for movement therewitha pawl carried by said member, means on ,the pull rod coacting with said pawl to lock said rods together. whereby when a pull is .exerted upon said pull rod said switch rod is actuated therewith to move said runners into electrical connection .with the switch blades, and means on said housing structure coacting with said pawl to unlock said rods after said electrical lconnection has been made tothereby renderA either of said rods independent of the other. 5: A switch mechanism having in combination, a unitary housing structure, switch Hades withiiisaid housing, a pull rod and' a switchy rod, supported by said housing and extending therethrough, runners mounted upon sai rods and movable therewith, ilexif ble vmeans to hold saidV runners in place upon a force to said rods, means for applyin tween said said pull rod, n locking device rodsexterior of saidhousing such that when` a pull' sexerted upon said pull rod both lrods-are moved together to carry said runners into electrical 'contact .with said switch blades, and means coacting with said locking device for releasin the same after said electrical'contact has heen made, said last s, means'being adjustable to vary the time at whichsaid locking device is released.

6. A switch mechanism having in combination, a unitary housing structure, a plurality of'switch blades within said housing 1V and supported thereb a plurality of movable rods extending t rough and supported bysaid-housing, a plurality of switch runners within said housing and controlled by said'- rods, means exterior of said housing l coperating-between said rods whereby the .Same-are adapted to move to ether when a `forcfaeis 'applied to one o f t em `to carry said switch runners into circuit making relationship with saicLswitch blades, said co- --operating means further serving to render saidrods independent of each other after saidrunners lhave been moved into such circuit-'relationship with said switch blades.

, 7, A switch mechanism having in combination,- a unitary housing and supporting structure, switch blades supported within said housing, a switch rod and a pull .rod slidably extending through said housing,

switch runners actuated by said rods to conltact with said blades, guiding memberacart riefd-iby said housing structure, Va forcel transmittin'g4 member slidably mounted upon said members and secured to the switch rod,

lmeans' on the-,pull rod coacting with said 'force transmitting member whereby when a pull isl exerted upon the pull rod said switch rod is `moved therewith to carry said rui ners into contact with said switch blades, said means serving also to permit the pull rod to advance independently. of said switch rodshould said force transmitting member have its movement obstructed.Al ,f c

8. A switch mechanism having in 'combination, a housing, stationary switch members therein, movable switch members adapted to coperate with said stationary members, members for actuating said movable switch members, and automatic means coperating between said actuating memberswhereby said actuating members -may be initiallyl moved togetherand independently after the initial'movement is 'comp ted. i

9. A switch mechanism having in combination, a housing,.stationary switch members therein, movable switch members'ada ted to 4 be moved' to make contact with said sta# tionary members, means for manually actuating said movable inembers to make such contact, and automatic means coperatlng between said manual means whereby-'themanually operated means may be initially moved as a whole and subsequently in part. y 10. A switch mechanism having in combination, a housing, stationary switch members thereimmovable switch members adapted to A be moved into circuit relation with said stationary members, members for.' manually movin said4 movable members into said circuit re ation with the stationary members, automatic means coperating lbetween said manually movable members whereby said manually moving members, ma be initially moved together and indepen ently thereafter, and automatic means to move said movable members out of circuit relation with the stationary. members.4

1l. A Vswitch mechanism having in conibination, a housing structure, stationar switch members therein, movable switc members therein and adapted to coperate with said stationary members, members for actuatingsaid movable switch members, and automatic means coperating between said actuating members whereby said actuating members may be initially moved together making relation with said stationary meinJ bers, and means attached to said housingv structure for iiiclosing all of said parts.

13. A. switch mechanism having m com- ",.biiratim a-:liousing lstructure, stationary' switch"members therein7z-movable switchl ni'en'ibers therein and adapted tocopera-te withusaid stationary iiiembelrs, members 'for'` actuating said movable members,automatic means coperating with said actuating members whereby said actutli'ig., ii'ienibei's mayf be initially iiioved together ai'i'd'iudepend- .'cuit making relationvith'said stationary members, automatic n ieansservmgto break' 'said'gcirciiit relation, andmeans associated with said housingstructure for i i whereby'l o'fne 'offs'a-'id .runners ina therein, v`a .pair :of movable 1 switch lmembers "ithin *said Jhousiirg, members passing tlnough but :flexibly 'attached tosaid mov- .fable `sv'vitcli members'for actuating said movlable members, said pair of 'movablemembers coperating Ywith each other. and' Said 'blades in siicha way when. operated vthat the lateral pressure from saidblades on the movable switch members 'are' equalized and for thefpin-pose described; i

ofthepther of said runners to' c in lete sai electrical connection shuld, astf .85 tionedrunner have its motionobstiiuctedlf. Aswitch mechanism having biiia'tion, a housing, a, pairl ofactualtlingn' rods extending therethrough,sivitchfbldes;

115.1. A switch mcchiinisn'rhaving inf eombnation?,- a.` housing, adjustable 'switch blades mounted therein', a paii'of manually actu ated members. located in the housing-between said `switch blades, a switch' member flexibly carried upon each of said 'manually actuated members and in constant 'electrical contact with each other and adapted to establish an' electrical connection between Isaid 'switch-A 40 blades in the manner described when the manually'actuated members are operated as described. V\

1(3."A'l switch iiieclia-Iiisnr'having in coms -b'inatioii, a housing structure, a. pair of switch blades within said hoiisin'g,.a paiiot rods extending through said housing, a 'pair to hold Vthe runners in place 'oii saidmein of switch runners actuated by saidrodsand adapted to slidingly and .'yieldingly coperate'witli said blades and also with each other,

said runners being loosely. mounted upon` sai-drods so4` that the' pressureireceived from saidblades is shared by both runners, and

iiijounted vi th said housingfifnd onoppiosite' 90 sides thereof -with their working surfaces substantially parallel to saidj'r'ods, runners mounted upon said. rods, in js 'i' 1ch) '11,.`

manner as to have lateral moveinent'theijef on and. 'in 4'constant electrical.'engagementg with each other andheld in` place by s vir'al, springs, said runners' being-adapted to estati lish-v an electrical connection -between-fsaid-- 'i blades when actuated bysaid'rodsin suchz,

a manner as to` equalize the lateral lpreslsure 100 of said blades on said runners. i. l? 20. A switch mechanismihaving'incmbi.l

nation, a housing, a pair of *actuating inem bers extending therethrough, switch blade@ mounted 'within said housing,onfoppsite 105 vau electrical -.connection between saidbhdes sides et said actuating members, lU-shapled .switch runners loosely mountedguponfsaid nieiiibeis and in constantelectrical .engagement ufitlr each other, ,and resil1entmean bers, Sfai'dfrunners being vadapixd to'establis when ii'ioijed by-` said actuatingmembers@,reefsj sihent means tending to; hold said runners in.;

open circuit position relative to said 'switch 15 resilient 'means eXe-r'ting a constantA foi-ce dipen 'said rui'iners to lioldthesame in posi- 56 ti'on upon said rods at all times.

17. A switch mechanism 'having in coinbii'iation, a housing structure,a pair of flexil le=`switch blades therewithin, a; pair of parallel rodsprjecting through said housing,

60 a pairof switch runners one o n veach of said rods iii permanent contact'with each other:

andf adapted lo be actuated vb v said rods to t inailiefeoitact )vith said flexible switch blades, being loosely mounted upon `iiers therewith; may be varied. .f i

binatioin unitary. housingf and supporti blades. said s\` .itch blades vbeing adjustable f'; whereby thetime ofengagement o-f-thelun- 21. Af switch mechanism having in com sti'ii'etiire. a pa-ir switch bIades'JmOiinte within said' housing. aA pair of reds-supported' by and extending through saidjhousing struc insulating nieinbeis loosely mounted Aon'said11-25 fixed upon each rod and compression springs between said second collars and said Washers whereby said runners are yieldingly held in place, means whereby when one of said 5 rods is actuated said other rod is moved therewith to carry said runners into Contact making relation with said Switch blades, said loosely mounted insulating members permttinlgr said runners to keepthemselves almed at all tunes, and a second springon each rod disposed between said second collars and the end of said housir'ig and serving to hold said runners in their normal open Circuit position.

In witness whereof I aiiix my sig-nature.

TULFS H. RCHABDS. 

